JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2021

 

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2021 features new jazz albums released by musicians from all over the world. So far the streaming section includes tracks from albums released by Roberto Magris(Italy) & Eric Hochberg(USA), ZhanXG(Malaysia), Igor Willcox Quartet(Brazil) , Ararur(Portugal), Sallaberry & Friends(Brazil/USA), Russell Ferrante Trio(USA), Kari Ikonen(Finland), Marc Hoffman(USA) 

http://jazzworldquest.com/showcase-2021

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2021:Kari Ikonen(Finland)-Album: Impressions, Improvisations and Compositions Label: Ozella Music

 

Kari Ikonen(Finland)-Trance Oriental Composer: Kari Ikonen
Album: Impressions, Improvisations and Compositions
Label: Ozella Music

Kari Ikonen recorded Impressions, Improvisations and Compositions on his historic Steinway in his living room in Helsinki, using fine microphones and audiophile equipment. The Mastering was done by our friends from Pauler Acoustics (Engineer: Hans-Jörg Maucksch) in Northeim/Germany. This music is nothing to listen to on the side, the album demands full concentration from the listener! But whoever brings it up will be very rewarded. The album title refers to the working method of Wassily Kandinsky, who is a great inspiration for Kari Ikonen. We were very lucky to be able to use a work by Kandinsky for our artwork. Doesn’t the album look great? Above all, the 180 gram vinyl pressing in gatefold cover is a haptic experience and an acoustic revelation. Read Review. Like all our releases, the album is also available on iTunes, Spotify and all other important digital platforms. We have distributors around the world for our physical releases, so please check out your local record store and say hello. Or say: “Kari Ikonen – Impressions, Improvisations and Compositions” Kari Ikonen | Ozella Music

FINLAND: Verneri Pohjola-The Dead Don't Dream (2020)

Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola is a tour de force, unquestionably a huge talent and a musician with a commanding and individual voice who is able to bring warmth and stillness to his playing as much as a vibrant intensity. His writing is strong and bold, adept at finding those hooky melodies that jump out at you as progressive, creative and individual. The Dead Don’t Dream is his fourth album on Edition and sixth in total. His recent offerings represent very different yet coherent albums. Bullhorn (2015) was entirely original and placed Verneri firmly on the European scene as the one to watch. Pekka in 2017 saw him interpreting his famous father's music, bringing a rockier approach and electronics to the party. His latest, Animal Image, was a completely improvised duo with drummer Mika Kallio. Each of these albums challenged Verneri to reach further with his playing, and explore wider soundscapes. Verneri Pohjola - trumpet Tuomo Prättälä - piano & electronics Mika Kallio - drums and gongs Antti Lötjönen - bass Pauli Lyytinen - soprano saxophone & tenor saxophone (on ‘Wilder Brother’ and ‘Suspended’) Miikka Paatelainen - pedal steel (on ‘Monograph’, ‘The Dead Don’t Dream’ and ‘Suspended’) credits released May 1, 2020

GERMANY/FINLAND: Iiro Rantala, The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen- playing Gershwin (ACT 2020)

Only very few musicians are as well versed in both, classical music and jazz as the Finnish pianist Iiro Rantala. With the acclaimed 'Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen', he now continues his classical journey. Following the album "Mozart, Bernstein, Lennon" which got nominated for the "International Classical Music Award", the new recording features repertoire by George Gershwin - for Rantala, with his strong melodies and great emotional warmth, a classical soulmate.
ACT
spotify

FINLAND: Aleksi Heinola: Quintet (Jazzaggression 2019)

"Brand new sparkling hard-bop in the Quintet formula, from aspiring Finnish drummer talent Aleksi Heinola!" This is the full album by Aleksi Heinola Quintet, featuring a top cast of Finnish jazz-men: Mikael Jakobsson on Keys (Five Corners Quintet), Mikko Gunu Karjalainen on Trumpet & Flugelhorn, Manuel Dunkel on Tenor Saxophone (UMO Jazz band) and Swedish Daniel Franck on Double Bass. Aleksi wanted to make his debut album where his heart lies musically, in the modern hardbop landscape of past greats like Art Blakey and Horace silver. A strong debut that showcases strong melodies with rich detail and great interplay. Album has 4 originals songs composed by Heinola and 1 cover, comes sealed in laminated UK-flap over sleeve with digital download and additional CD with 4 extra tracks.

FINLAND: Max Zenger Globus – Max Zenger Globus (Helsinki Jazz Underground 2019)

Saxophonist and woodwinds specialist Max Zenger's Globus-quintet creates wide soundscapes and abundant compositions, which leave room for improvisation and own expression. Compositions chase after breathtaking scenery through music with nature’s beauty and diversity as the fountainhead of the improvisation.

The album consists of five exquisite compositions which combine to one big kokonaisuus, which is the aim of the album - to present music as it is without any presumptions (ennakkoluuloja). This is also the stage of Max Zenger's artisry at this very moment. Enjoy!

credits

released July 9, 2019

Max Zenger - alto saxophone, bass clarinet
Kasperi Sarikoski - trombone
Mikael Myrskog - keys
Anssi Tirkkonen - drums
Heikko Remmel - bass

FINLAND: #jazz Alexi Tuomarila Trio-Sphere (2019) @alexituomarila #alexituomarila

Alexi Tuomarila piano Mats Eilertsen double bass Olavi Louhivuori drums Verneri Pohjola trumpet (tracks 2, 5 and 7) Sphere is the 3rd album from the brilliant Finnish pianist, Alexi Tuomarila and his trio with bassist Mats Eilertsen and drummer Olavi Louhivuori. They are joined by guest trumpeter Verneri Pohjola on Sphere, a simply brilliant album that brings together powerfully melodic, driving, rhythmical soloing, Finnish melancholy to create some of the finest musicianship to emerge from any currant Nordic ensemble.

 All music by Alexi Tuomarila Produced by Dave Stapleton

 1 Shapeshifter (Alexi Tuomarila) 2 Jord (Olavi Louhivuori) 3 Origins (Alexi Tuomarila) 4 Sirius (Olavi Louhivuori) 5 Boekloev (Mats Eilertsen) 6 Unfold (Mats Eilertsen)

USA/FINLAND: Tuomo Uusitalo - Stories From Here and There (Fresh Sound New Talent) Set to Release July 1, 2019

 New album coming out July 1st 2019! Personnel: Tuomo Uusitalo - Piano Chris Cheek - Sax Myles Sloniker - Bass Itay Morchi - Drums Recorded September 28 & 29 2018 @ Studio 42, Brooklyn NYC by Alessio Romano Produced by Tuomo Uusitalo, Excecutive Producer: Jordi Pujol

FINLAND: Jukka Eskola Soul Trio-Tiny B (2019)

With one of the hippest jazz albums of recent years under their belt, Jukka Eskola Soul Trio is back with a fresh new single. It's truly a double-sider of the highest order, as both of the tracks deliver a completely distinct flavor. "Tiny B" on the A side is a neat bossa jazz number, and as usual in top of the genre, the lightness serves only as a facade.

 The composition starts to evolve before the listener gets too comfortable, transitioning into a beautiful cinematic section, which is followed by tight solos by Eskola on trumpet and Mikko Helevä on organ. The trio rises beyond its numbers, as the maestro Teppo Mäkynen overdubs his drumming with added percussion and vibes. Hiding on the B side is a furious jazz dance burner, which sees the trio rise to energy levels that surpass even Five Corners Quintet in their tightest form. "Stick of a Branch" is highly syncopated business that takes its cues from a sound refined by 1970's independent afrocentric jazz groups.

 It's a style, which is inherently modernist, without a slightest interest in mass appeal, and firmly rooted in the blues. If you need some no nonsense organic jazz on your turntable, it's hard to go wrong with this single. credits released February 15, 2019

FINLAND: Joonas Haavisto Trio - Gradation (2018)

”Joonas Haavisto is one of the most talented pianists of his generation.” - Der Spiegel (November 2016) ”Joonas Haavisto Trio is one of the best piano trios in Europe.” - Sounds & Books (November 2016) ”Latest masterpiece from the fast rising Nordic Star.” — Jazz Critiques Magazine (March 2016) ”This trio´s real thrill lies in its unique balance and those breathtaking moments in their nuanced playing.” — Toshiaki Uemura, CD Journal (February 2016) ”Every tune sounds excellent!” — Takashi Kubota, Jazz Japan (February 2016) ”Pianotrion taikaa korkeimmalla tasolla. Myös levyn nimi oku on japania. "Sisäinen tila" on siinä ilmaistu vain kolmella kirjaimella. Ja kun kolme mestarillista muusikkoa löytää yhteisen okun, siinä sitä ihastelemista riittääkin.” — Pentti Ronkainen, Keskisuomalainen/Savon Sanomat 5/5 ”Hämmentävän jäntevältä kuulostava kokonaisuus pulppuilee tavalla, joka imaisee vastaanottajan mukaansa. Harmonisessa ympäristössä täyteläinen bassottelu, soljuvat pianovaeltelut sekä irtonainen rytmitys poikivat hurmaavan euforian.” — Juha Seitz, Ilkka/Pohjalainen 5/5 ”Haavistos pianospel känns exklusivt. Hans stycken bjuder på en bred palett av stämningar och stilar utan att splittra helheten, som stöttas av den mångårige trions utmärkta samspel.” — Jan-Erik Holmberg, HBL ”Hiljaisuus ja tilantuntu kasvoivat sen myötä osaksi yhtyeen ulosantia – herkkyys kuunnella kanssasoittajia toi lisäarvoa lähestymistapaan. Upea esitys!” — Matti Komulainen, Turun Sanomat

FINLAND: 30. RAAHE JAZZ ON THE BEACH 26.-28.7.2018

30. RAAHE JAZZ ON THE BEACH 26.-28.7.2018
Thursday 26.7.
Mopo (FI)
Putro Mopolla (FI)

Friday 27.7.
Kahden Miehen Galaksi (FI)
3TM (FI)
Claudia Solal & Benjamin Moussay (FR)
Don Johnsson Big Band (FI)

Saturday 28.7.
Mikko Innasen Maakuntalaulu-uudistus (FI)
Raahe City Funk Unit (FI)
Gourmet + Raahen Laulu (FI)
Papanosh (FR)
VIRTA (FI)
Jamitanssit
http://rantajatsit.fi/

FINLAND:Kari Ikonen Trio-Wind, Frost & Radiation (ozella 2018)

After stints in afro pop, Kari Ikonen’s Finnish background has now drawn him to the wintertime. Spaces of biting cold and horror, of inhumanity and transience – these are the fundamentals of the Ikonen Trio’s third studio album.

The band visit ghost towns, disassemble famous waltz motives and enter wondrous shadow world. Into their fifth year, the depth of the trio’s commitment to extremes remains remarkable.
ozella 

FINLAND: HALME PROSPEKT-BLUESPEKTOR(2018)

the upcoming album
HALME PROSPEKT: BLUESPEKTOR
(Karkia Mistika Records) (karmi-095)
out May 5th 2018

1. Blues For Allah pt I (Jerry Garcia-Robert Hunter) 6'20
2. Generator 1 (Arttu Tolonen) 8'54
3. Conference Of The Birds (Dave Holland) 14'39
4. Blues For Allah pt II (Jerry Garcia-Robert Hunter) 9'34
5. Generator 2 (Arttu Tolonen) 7'54
6. Exit Only (Hepa Halme) 13'05

Hepa Halme: woodwinds
Matti Riikonen: trumpet
Esa Onttonen: guitar
Arttu Tolonen: modular synth, guitar
Tapani Varis: bass, mouth organ, willow flute
Alf Forsman: drums

Pekko Käppi: bowed lyre
Noel Saizonou: percussion

Rec: Eka Vekara @ Studio 24/7, Hepa Halme, Arttu Tolonen
Mix & master: Pentti Dassum @ Arkisto

Matkis, Ilkka Emu, Philip, Carolus, Heikki Y

Record release shows:
5.5. Pori; Validi Karkia
9.5. Helsinki; Juttutupa/Rytmihäiriö
24.5. Tampere; Vastavirta
26.5. Salo; Bar Bizarre
30.5. Hämeenlinna/Suistoklubi
Kiertueella erikoisvierailee Pekko Käppi.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKppV7BN5…&feature=youtu.be

Contact:

Hepa Halme
hepahalme@hotmail.com

Karkia Mistika Records/Jyrki Laiho
hahmot@hahmot.net

FINLAND:CamJazz- New Release: "XX" (by Joona Toivanen Trio)

CamJazz NEW RELEASE

October 27, 2017

XX
Joona Toivanen Trio
Joona Toivanen (piano)
Tapani Toivanen (bass)
Olavi Louhivuori (drums)
 

“The great piano trios – and this is becoming one of them – were always coalitions of musical vision, always adjusting a certain tension between lead and supporting voices.  The music here is so fresh, engaged and outward looking…  ‘We’ve had the same constellation since we started playing together in 1997’. This is what you get when you play together not for three years, but for twenty.”  (Brian Morton)

 

Come visit CamJazz.com for Vinyls, Box Sets, CDs and Digital Downloads! Free Shipping in Italy and 50% Off Shipping Worldwide  for any purchase made from our website.

www.camjazz.com

ROMANIA/ISRAEL: Florin Raducanu & Guests Live from Israel- Jaffa Jazz Festival

Florin Raducanu- piano & arrangement (Romania) Jari Perkiomaki - alto sax ( Finland) Daniel Rotem - tenor sax (Israel) Tal Gamlieli - double bass (Israel) Yonatan Rosen - drums (Israel)
http://jazzworldquest.com/florin_raducanu

FINLAND: Tampere Jazz Happening 2nd and 5th November, 2017

 

Tampere Jazz Happening, the festival that earlier this year won the prestigious EJN Award for Adventurous Programming, will be organized for the 36th time, taking place between 2nd and 5th November, 2017. The festival features some of the most innovative musicians in modern jazz, both from Finland and from abroad. The festival includes ten concert events that bring to the stages of Klubi, Pakkahuone, and Telakka altogether 25 ensembles and orchestras.

Saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, one of the brightest rising stars of British jazz, will perform in Tampere with two ensembles. In Pakkahuone, he plays together with South African jazz musicians in the ensemble Shabaka & the Ancestors. On Friday, Hutchings will perform at Klubi with his trio The Comet Is Coming, whose musical style combines jazz with electronic elements, funk, and psychedelic soundscapes.

Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser arrives to Tampere in conjunction with the release of his latest album, Early in the Morning. Blaser will play together with saxophonist Oliver Lake, who has throughout his career – spanning decades – collaborated with iconic artists, including Lou Reed, Björk, and Vijay Iyer. Equally impressive and lengthy is the career of jazz drummer Tony Allen, who will bring to Tampere Jazz Happening his tribute to the legendary drummer Art Blakey from the Jazz Messengers.

Tunisian oud lute player Dhafer Youssef will charm the festival audiences with his musical style that incorporates masterfully intricate oud playing, Arabic lyrics, and jazz. The festival also features New Zion with Hamid Drake, who take inspiration from the spiritual jazz of the 1970s. Furthermore, Nordic jazz sounds in this year’s festival will be represented by the Icelandic Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio, who play in Tampere together with the legendary Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola.

The festival programme at Telakka is also filled with some of the most interesting jazz ensembles of today. Earlier this year, the rock-jazz trio Virta released their critically acclaimed album, Hurmos, and went on to enchant audiences at Pori Jazz Festival and Flow Festival. In addition, the international nature of the Finnish jazz scene is reflected by the ensemble Sid Hille & Foreign Friends, whose members hail from all over the world, but have all settled to live in Finland.

Tampere Jazz Happening also offers two concert events that are free of charge to the audiences. The festival’s opening concert is dedicated to Estonia, which will celebrate the anniversary of the country’s 100 years of independence next year. The evening is titled Spotlight on Estonia and showcases Estonian modern jazz through performances by the ensembles Kirke Karja Quartet, Kadri Voorand in Duo with Mihkel Mälgand, and Heavy Beauty. During Tampere Jazz Happening’s final concert evening, listeners will be treated to the ethereal melodies and stunning vocals of Swiss Lucia Cadotsch. Modern classics from Strange Fruit to Moon River will transcend to the present time through Cadotsch’s evocative interpretations.

https://tamperemusicfestivals.fi

FINLAND: Jukka Eskola Soul Trio ‎– Soul Trio (Timmion Records 2017)

In 2017, the Finnish jazz scene seems to bubble with talent. One of the most prominent players in this mix is by definition, trumpeter Jukka Eskola. After over a decade of adventures in different spaces of jazz – from the dance floor burn of The Five Corners Quintet to the raw expressive modes of Mikko Innanen's small big band, Jimi Tenor's cosmic jazz and his own prime CTI styled solo recordings – Eskola takes things back to bare basics. And as usual, when it's done right, it's the best thing out there.

The Jukka Eskola Soul Trio is composed of Eskola on trumpet and fluegelhorn, Mikko Helevä on organ and the Stance Brother #1 Teppo "Teddy Rok" Mäkynen on drums. When Helevä needs to take a break from the bass pedals, the trio gets assistance from Ville Herrala on the upright. In addition, tenor saxophonist Timo Lassy features on “Hong Tong” and “Subterranean Variations” and Magnus Lindgren spices the groove with his flute on "Railyard Boogie".

The Soul Trio's album is a true delight for the lovers of mid to late 1960's American soul jazz from labels like Blue Note and Prestige. At parts the approach is even less sophisticated as on "For Anne Lee", where the group proceeds to lay down some of the rowdiest bar room hard bop. Creating an extra air of hipness, the package is completed with European Clarke-Boland'ish touches that hint at reinvention more than simple emulations. This record carries all the right ingredients for a grade A contemporary jazz album: virtuoso players, who know the heritage as well as how to play around it, and who know how to work as an entity surrendering strictly to the groove.

ITALY: CAM Jazz News: "Northbound" by Northbound Trio featuring Seamus Blake - PreOrder Now at iTunes!

Northbound
Northbound Trio featuring Seamus Blake

Release: September 15, 2017

Tuomo Uusitalo                 piano
Myles Sloniker                 bass
Olavi Louhivuori              drums
Seamus Blake                  tenor sax
 

"Northbound seems the perfect title for this set of recordings. What they share is a sense of rugged adventure, a radical simplicity of means that delivers disproportionate results. Good climbers on northern hills take lots of gear. Great climbers take the minimum required... Spare, bold, hard, muscular again, but gifted with a kind of manly grace that is rare today." (Brian Morton)
 

 

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FINLAND: Black Motor - Branches (2017)

1. But Not Willingly
2. At The Red End Of The World
3. Decision Jump
4. Blue Eyes Cryin' In The Rain
5. Branches (Citizen Music)
6. Tulee Päivä
7. Longer The Distance, Sweeter The Sound
8. Letting Go (Was Part Of the Plan)

released June 2, 2017

Tane Kannisto: tenor, alto & baritone saxophones, nagaswaram
Ville Rauhala: double bass
Simo Laihonen: drums & percussion

Introspective fire music from Black Motor, one of the best kept secrets in the Finnish scene. Powerful free music brimming with energy, melodic innovation, and a strong sense of unity within the trio. Long-time members bassist Ville Rauhala and drummer Simo Laihonen are joined here by sax man Tane Kannisto (previously known from Sound And Fury) to deliver a strong musical statement, and a convincing next step for Black Motor. Especially recommended for listeners with a taste for melodic free music, such as Art Ensemble of Chicago, Anthony Braxton, and Archie Shepp, to mention but a few.

USA: Jill Seifers, Eeppi Ursin & Mika Pohjola-New York Jazz Vocals (2017)

American Broadway songs with a classy touch became the recognizable feature of vocalist Jill Seifers Walsh and pianist Mika Pohjola at the turn of the millenium. Walsh and Pohjola met in Boston in the early 90's, and started making frequent appearances with their repertory in New York City. This duo proudly performed classics by Cole Porter, Dmitri Tiomkin and Richard Rodgers, not to forget Elvis Costello. The repertoire contained songs which are forgotten by many of today's jazz musicians. It is the contrast between Walsh's heartfelt yet simple vocal stylings and Pohjola's lush harmonies which made this duo and this album particularly fresh and a truly special one. The renditions express masterful lyricism in music and words. Jill Seifers Walsh tragically died in December 2012.